Windows 11's Accelerated File Explorer: Double the RAM, Is the Speed Boost Worth It?

The Curious Case of Windows 11's Accelerated File Explorer: Double the RAM, but is it Worth the Wait?

Microsoft is actively tinkering with the Windows 11 File Explorer, aiming to inject a much-needed dose of speed into its operations. The latest gambit involves pre-loading and running the file manager in the background, a strategy that promises near-instantaneous access. However, as a recent experiment by Windows Latest reveals, this speed boost comes at a cost – a doubling of memory consumption, leaving us to ponder if the trade-off is truly beneficial.

Memory Footprint: A Modest, Yet Noticeable, Increase

In a controlled test environment, utilizing a virtual machine with a modest 4GB of RAM, the standard File Explorer version proved to be a rather economical user of system resources, typically consuming around 32.4MB of memory. In stark contrast, the accelerated, pre-loaded version demanded significantly more, consistently hovering around an additional 35MB, pushing the total memory usage to a notable 67.4MB. While this represents a substantial doubling, the overall memory footprint remains relatively small. For most modern systems boasting ample RAM, this incremental increase is unlikely to cause a significant system slowdown or negatively impact the performance of other running applications. It's a minor blip on the radar, rather than a system-crippling burden.

The Speed Test: A Subtle, Yet Detectable, Improvement

The crucial question, of course, is whether this increased memory allocation translates into a tangible speed improvement. The initial tests, involving a few quick launches of Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft Store followed by an opening of the File Explorer, showed a difference that was subtle, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. However, when viewed in slow-motion footage, the advantage of the pre-loaded File Explorer becomes strikingly apparent. While the conventional version was still in the process of closing, its accelerated counterpart had not only shut down but was already ready to be reopened. This suggests that for users who frequently flit between different applications and the file manager, the pre-loading could offer a smoother, more fluid experience.

Under Pressure: File Explorer on a Heavily Loaded System

The true test of any performance enhancement lies in its ability to hold its ground under demanding conditions. To this end, the experimenters subjected both versions of the File Explorer to a fully loaded system, specifically while running Microsoft Edge with a hefty 16 open tabs. In this scenario, the difference in opening speed was no longer subtle; it was, dare I say, dramatic. The extra 35MB of RAM allocated to the pre-loaded File Explorer seemed a small price to pay for such a clear and noticeable improvement in responsiveness. The ability to access files swiftly, even when other demanding applications are vying for system resources, is a significant win for productivity.

The Context Menu Conundrum: An Area Ripe for Optimization

It's important to note that the pre-loading feature primarily addresses the initial launch speed of the File Explorer. Other aspects, particularly the notorious sluggishness of the context menu, remain an ongoing challenge. Even on a system with limited RAM, the context menu, especially when burdened with an abundance of optional entries, continues to exhibit frustrating delays. Microsoft is reportedly working on this, with newer test builds of Windows 11 showcasing a redesigned right-click menu. However, the experiment indicates that even with these revisions, certain nested menu items still suffer from a noticeable lag, dampening the overall user experience.

Tips for a Snappier Explorer: Beyond the Pre-load

For users eager to eke out every ounce of performance from their File Explorer, even without relying on background processes, Windows Latest offers some practical advice. Disabling visual effects such as transparency and animations, found under Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects, can provide a surprising speed-up. Furthermore, a simple yet effective tweak is to change the File Explorer's default startup location. Instead of the Home page, opting to open directly to 'This PC' can lead to a faster launch. This can be configured by navigating to the File Explorer's options, selecting 'General,' and then choosing 'This PC' as the default folder. This not only trims down launch times but often streamlines common workflows.

The Lingering Shadow of Windows 10

Despite Microsoft's efforts, a sobering comparison emerges: even the accelerated File Explorer in Windows 11 appears to lag behind its Windows 10 predecessor in terms of overall responsiveness. Both the application's startup and its context menu exhibit slower performance when compared to the older operating system. This observation, supported by further video evidence from the source, suggests that the File Explorer in Windows 11 is still undergoing a period of refinement. Perhaps the key to unlocking its full potential lies in a strategic offloading of some of the feature bloat that Microsoft has accumulated over the years, allowing for a leaner, more agile file management experience.